As the Romans Did: A Sourcebook in Roman Social History

by Jo-Ann Shelton, Pauline Ripat

Overview

As the Romans Did offers a rich, revealing look at everyday Roman life. It provides clear, lively translations of a fascinating array of documents drawn from Latin and Greek source material—from personal letters, farming manuals, medical texts, and recipes to poetry, graffiti, and tombstone inscriptions. Each selection has been translated into readable, contemporary English. Extensive annotations, abundant biographical notes, maps, appendices, cross-references to related topics, and a newly updated bibliography provide readers with the historical and cultural background material necessary to appreciate the selections. Arranged thematically into chapters on family life, housing, education, entertainment, religion, and other important topics, the translations reveal the ambitions and aspirations not only of the upper class, but of the average Roman citizen as well. They tell of the success and failure of Rome's grandiose imperialist policies and also of the pleasures and hardships of everyday life. Wide-ranging and lively, the third edition of As the Romans Did offers the most lucid account available of Roman life in all its diversity.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780190072131
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	08/30/2022
Edition description:	3rd ed.
Pages:	688
Sales rank:	591,985
Product dimensions:	9.11(w) x 6.18(h) x 1.17(d)

About the Author

Jo-Ann Shelton is Professor of Classics (Emerita), University of California, Santa Barbara

Pauline Ripat is Associate Professor of Classics, University of Winnipeg (Canada)

Table of Contents

Contents

Preface to the Third Edition
Figures, Charts, and Maps
Acknowledgements
About the Authors

Introduction
The Roman Ideal
1. Horatius at the Bridge, Veturia outside the Walls

I. The Structure of Roman Society
Social Structure
2. Rule by the “Best Men”
3, 4. Definitions of Justice and Law
5, 6. Discrimination in Assigning Penalties
Paternalism and Patronage
7. Patrician and Plebeian
8. Patrons and Clients in Republican Rome
9. Patrons and Clients in Imperial Rome
10. Seeking a Handout
11. Patrons and Patrons
12. Rude Patrons
12. Another Rude Patron
14. No Free Lunches (or Dinners)

II. Families
Fathers
15. Patria Potestas
16. Horace's Father
17. Quintilian's Sons
18. Cicero's Grief
Image 2.1. Marcus Cornelius Statius and His Father
Mothers
19. The Ideal
20. Memory of a Warm Moment
21. Maternal Tenderness
22. A Mother's Concern
23. An Ungrateful Son
Blended Families
24. Step-Parents
Brothers and Sisters
25. Brotherly Love
26. Sisterly Affection
Producing a Family
27. Fertility
28, 29. Birth Announcements
30. Miscarriage
31. Infant Deaths
Image 2.2. Commemoration of a Child
Birth Control
32, 33. Contraception
34, 35. Abortion
36, 37. Exposure
Encouraging Fertility
38-40. The Legislation of Augustus
Adoption
41. An Adoption Agreement
42. Giving Away One's Child
Raising Children
43. Filial Obedience
44. Spoiled Brats
45. Advice about Parental Severity
46, 47. Nurses
48. Paedagogues
49. A Persistant Paedagogue
Guardians
50. Appointing Guardians
Orphans
51. An Appeal for Help
Welfare Assistance
52. Public Assistance
Image 2.3. Trajan's Charity
53. Private Charity

III. Marriage
The Age of Marriage Partners
54. Child Brides
Arranged Marriages
55. Matchmakers
Weddings
56. A Wedding Song
57. A Marriage Contract
58. Expectations of Marriage
Image 3.1. Harmonious Marriage
Wives
59. The Duties of a Wife
60. A Perfect Marriage
61, 62. Calpurnia, Pliny's Wife
63. Quintilian's Wife
64. Love for a Wife
65, Image 3.2. A Good Wife
Husbands
66. Battered Wives
67. Wife-Beating
68. Love for a Husband ln-Laws
69, 70. Family Intervention
Divorce
71. A Divorce Agreement
72. Response to Divorce
Adultery
73. Where to Meet
74. Deceiving One's Husband
75. Poems to a Mistress
76. Another Perspective
77. Laws to Control Adultery
78. Augustus's Own Behavior

IV. Housing and City Life
Single-Family Houses in the City
79. Designs for City Houses
Image 4.1. A House at Pompeii
Apartments
80. Complaints from an Apartment Dweller
81. A Dingy Apartment
Images 4.2, 4.3 Apartment Buildings
82. A Landlord's Problems
House Prices
83. The High Cost of Living in Rome
Rental Advertisements
84, 85. Shops and Apartments for Rent
Homeowner's Insurance
86. Fire Insurance
The Benefits of City Life
87. Aqueducts
88. Roads, Sewers, and the Campus Martius
Image 4.4. The Streets of Herculaneum
89. Toilets
90, 91. Roads
The Problems of City Life
92. Crowds, Traffic, and Muggers
93. Noise
94. Theft
95. Burglary
96. Neighbors
Housing in Rural Areas
97. Farm Houses
98. Vacation Villas

V. Domestic and Personal Concerns
Meals
Images 5.1, 5.2. Bread, the Staff of Life
99. A Peasant's Dinner
100. A Modest Dinner
Image 5.3. Dinner at Home
101. A Dinner Invitation
102. A Rejected Host
103. Recipe for Fish Sauce
104. Numidian Chicken
105. Rabbit with Fruit Sauce
106. Liver Sausage
107. Anchovy Delight without the Anchovies
108. Sweet and Sour Pork
Illness
109. Dysentery
110. Asthma
Medical Treatments
111. Jaundice
112. Broken Bones
113. Strains and Bruises
Doctors
114. Medical Training
115, 116. Change of Profession
117. Distrust of Doctors
Image 5.4. Medical Professions
118. Midwives
Life Expectancy
119. Lutatia Secundina
120. Magnilla
121. Mercurius
122. Firminus
Death
123. Death Notices
124. Cicero's Grief
125. Condolences
Funerary Laws and Funerals
126. Funerary Laws
127. Curses on Tomb Violators
128. Funerals
129. A Funeral Club
130. Final Words: An Epitaph
Personal Messages
131-133. The Walls of Pompeii

VI. Education
The Roman Ideal
134. A Traditional Education
A Child's Early Years
135. The Role of the Parents
Image 6.1. A Parent's Hopes
Teachers and Schools
136. Private Tutors
137. Orbilius, the Schoolteacher
138. Corporal Punishment
139. A Schoolteacher's Hours
140. A Schoolteacher's Salary
141. Incentives for Learning
142. Book Awards
143. An Endowment for a School
144. A Letter Home
The Litterator
145. A Day in the Life of a Schoolboy
Image 6.2. Writing Equipment
146. Morals and Memorization
147. An Arithmetic Lesson
148. Enough Education for the Average Man
Vocational Training
149. Apprenticeship to a Weaver
150. Career Choice
151. Girls at Work
The Grammaticus
152. Curriculum
Image 5.3. School of the Grammaticus
The Rhetor
153. The Good Old Days
154, 155. Classroom Exercises
156. Pity the Teacher
157. Criticism of the Rhetor's Exercises
158. Criticism of the “New Style”
159. The Ideal Orator
A Year Abroad
160. Studying in Athens

VII. Occupations
The Day's Activities
161. Dividing Up the Day
162. City Life
Working for a Living
163. Scorn for the Working Class
164. Tradesmen and Craftsmen
Image 7.1. A Produce Seller
165. Workers
166. Pride of Workmanship
167. Temporary Employment
168. Wage and Price Control
Image 7.2. A Butcher's Shop
169. The Grain Dole
Business and Investments
170. The Roman Attitude toward Profit
171. Traders
172. Rome, The Center of Trade
173. Moneylending
174. Loan Companies
175. War Bonds
176. Cato's Financial Activities
177. A Real Estate Speculator
178. A Government Construction Contract
179. A Government Contract for Military Provisions
180. Contract Fraud
181, 182. Government Contracts for Tax Collection
183. Money lending in the Provinces
184. Kingmakers
Activities of the Senatorial Class
185. Pliny's Investments
186. Pliny's Activities
Agriculture
187. An Attempt at Land Reform
Image 7.3. A Farmer's Toil
188. Tillers of the Field
189. Tenant Farmers
190. Sharecroppers
191. A Farmer's Life
192. Shepherds
193. Harassment of Shepherds
194. Farmers and Heroes
195. Retreat from Reality
196. The Romantic Vision
197. The Country Mouse and the City Mouse

VIII. Enslaved Persons
Enslavement
198. Captives of War
Image 8.1: Enslaving People
Selling Slaves
199. Regulations
Buying Slaves
200. A Contract for the Sale of a Slave
201. A Friend's Advice
Renting Slaves
202. A Contract for the Rental of a Slave
Slaves in the City and on the Farm
203. Household Slaves
204. Adjusting to Enslavement
Image 8.2 Duties of the Enslaved
205. State-Owned Slaves
206. Choosing Slaves for the Farm
207. Farm Slaves and a Frugal Owner
208. Managing Slaves
Slaves in the Mines
209. Spanish Silver Mines
Slaves in a Mill
210. A Flour Mill
Cruelty to Slaves
211. Flogging
212. Sadism
213. Brutality
214. Cruel Laws
Flight
Image 8.3, 215, 216. Slave Collars
217. A Search for a Fugitive Slave
Slave Revolts
218. Revolt within the Household
219. A Widespread Revolt
Gentler Treatment
220. Benevolence
221. A Stoic View of Slavery
222. Laws to Curb Cruelty
223. Hadrian's Legislation
224. Reiteration
225. Humane Interpretation of the Laws
226. Enslaved Families

IX. Freedmen and Freedwomen
Reasons for Manumission
227. Recognition of Talent
228. Recognition of Intelligence
229. Freeing Possible Witnesses
230. Adoption
231. Marriage
232. Criticism of the Manumission Process
Roman Attitudes toward Freedmen and Freedwomen
233. The Stereotype of the Wealthy Freedman
234. Resentment
235. Prejudice against Foreigners
Freedpersons and the Job Market
236. Construction Work
237. Herald
238. Teacher
239. Slaughterer
240. Maid
Freedpersons and Their Patrons
241. Legal Obligations
242. The Ideal Freedman
243. A Troubled Relationship
244. A Generous Patron
245. Another Kind Patron
246. Selective Kindness
Private and Social Life
247. A Life Story
248. Friendship between Freedpersons
Image 9.1. Freedpersons and Family
249. Mother and Daughter
250. Seeking Respectability
Image 9.2. Self-Presentation

X. Government and Politics
The Assemblies
251. The Comitia
252. Comitia and Concilium: Some Differences
253. Lex and Plebiscitum
254. Contio
Magistrates
255. The Functions of the Magistrates
256. The Titles of the Magistrates
251. The Development of the Magistracies
Image 10.1. Monarchical Power and Republican Magistrates
258. The Duties of the Consuls
259. The Responsibilities of a Magistrate
260. Friends in Power
261. Abuse of Power
Political Campaigns
262. Planning a Campaign
263. Campaign Literature
Image 10.2. Election Endorsements
The Senate
264. The Senate in the Republican Period
265. The Senate and the People
266. The Senate and the Equestrians
Government in the Early Imperial Period
267. The Powers of Augustus
268. The Prefect of the City
269, 270. Careers in the Government
271. The End of Popular Elections
272, 273. Freedom of Speech
274. The Emperor and the Senate
275, 276. The Benefits of Imperial Rule
Legislation
277. Roman Self-Styling
278. Sources of Legislation
279-281. Categories
282. Definitions
283-289. Equity
290. The Force of Custom

XI. The Roman Army
The Army during the Republican Period
291. The Army before Marius's Reforms
292. A Good Republican Soldier
293. A Triumph
The Army during the Imperial Period
294. Reasons for the Army's Success
295. Enlistment
296. Training
297-299. Discipline
300. Pay Records
301. Supply and Service Troops
302, Image 11.1. A Letter Home
303. A Letter of Recommendation
304. How to Advance Quickly
305. Soldiers and the Emperor
306. A Mutiny
307, 308. The Height of Recruits
309. Avoiding the Draft
310. Soldiers and Civilians
311. Requisitions
312. Military Justice
313. Life on the Frontier
314. Retirement in the Provinces
Image 11.2. Life and Death of a Veteran
315. The Danube Frontier
316. Roman Families in Britain

XII. Provincial Administration
Provincial Administration
Image 12.1. Provincial Resources and Roman Perceptions
Image 12.2. Grain for Rome
317. The Theory of Provincial Administration
318. The Publican Problem
319. Cicero as Governor
320. The Noble Brutus
321. A Most Unscrupulous Governor
322. Fear of Rebellion
323. Hatred of Roman Rule
324. The Benefits of Roman Rule
Image 12.3. Roman Shoes at the Edge of the Empire

XIII. Women in Roman Society
Childhood
325. Little Women
Image 13.1. Toys for Girls
326. Single Women
Life Expectancy
327. A Brief Life
Image 13.2. Commemorating an Untimely Death
328. Death in Childbirth
329. Femicide
Praiseworthy Behavior
330. The Virtues of Women
331. An Outstanding example of Pietas
332. Emotional Control
333. Loyalty
334. Patience
Image 13.3. Tidy Appearance
Unacceptable Behavior
335. Scandalous Conduct
336. Women and Politics
337. Women and Too Much Education
338. Women and Luxuries
339. Women and Theatrical Performances
340. Women and Vanity
Hysteria
341. Symptoms
342. Causes and Cures
Women at Work
343. A Dressmaker
344. A Hairdresser
345. A Fishmonger
346. Farm Women
347. Companions to Shepherds

XIV. Leisure and Entertainment
Leisure Activities
348, 349. The Pleasures of Life
350. Gambling and Gaming
351. Athletic Activities
Baths
352. The Good Old Days
353. Living Above a Public Bath Building
354. The Design of a Bath Building
Dinner Parties
355. Fishing for a Dinner Invitation
356. An Early Dinner Guest
357. A Thrifty Man
358. Roman Doggy Bags
359. A Shameless Guest
360. A Napkin Thief
361. A Rude Host
362. House of the Moralist
Recitations
363. The Persistent Poet
364. The Popularity of Recitations
365. A Recitation at Pliny's House
Hunting and Literary Studies
366. Pliny's Hunting Expedition
367. A Day in the Country
Travel
368. Along the Appian Way
369. Hotel Sign
370. Hotel Bars
371. Dishonest Innkeepers
372. Hotel Prostitutes
373. Homesickness
374. Loneliness
375. No Trespassing
376. The Ancient Jet Set
Spectacles
377. Caesar's Games
378. Nero's Games
379. Political Wisdom
380. The Road to Decadence
Circus Events
381. A Driver's Winning Techniques
Image 14.1. A Chariot Race
382. A Day at the Races
383. Fanatical Fans
384. A Successful Driver
385. Cursing One's Opponent
386. A Young Driver
387. A Family of Drivers
388. A Famous Driver
Theater Events
389. The Problems of a Playwright
390. Pantomime
Arena Events
391, 392. Advertising Amphitheater Events
393. Fight Statistics
Image 14.2. A Combat of Gladiators
394. Fans
395. An Unsympathetic Point of View
396. A More Enlightened View
397. Rounding Up the Animals
398. The Harmful Results of Spectacles
399. Escaping the Tortures of the Arena
400. The Victim's Perspective
401. Fascination and Addiction

XV. Religion and Philosophy
Religion and Society
402. Roman Religiosity
403. Religion and Roman Social Cohesion
404. Religion and Imperial Success
Deities
405. 1. “Major” Deities of Roman Public Religion
406, 407. Epithets
408. 2. Minor Deities with Specific Powers
409, 410. 3. Deities of the Environment
411. 4. Household Deities
Image 15.1. A Lararium
412. Worship on the Farm
413. 5. Ancestral Deities
414, 415. 6. Imported Deities
416. Welcoming the Gods of the Enemy
417. 7. Deities in the Provinces
8. Emperors as Deities
418, 419. Tiberius' Resistance to Emperor Worship
Ritual
420, 421. Words and Actions
422. Prayer and Sacrifice
423, 424. Acceptable Victims
425. Ritual for Purification
426. Ambarvalia
Image 15.2. A suovetaurilia
427, 428. Vows
429. Oaths
430, 431, 432. Curses
Priests
433. Pontifices
434, 435. Vestal Virgins
436. Fratres Arvales
Divination
437. Augury and the Augures
438. A Cautionary Tale
439. Extispicy and the Haruspices
440, 441. The Sibylline Books and the Quindecimviri Sacris Faciundis
442, 443. Private Divination
Religious Space
The Roman Calendar
444. Naming the Days
Festivals
445. Lupercalia
446. Saturnalia
447. Saturnalia Gifts
Crisis
448. Hannibal in Italy
449. Civil War
Religions from the East
Bacchus
450. Suppression of the Bacchanalia
451. The Edict of the Senate
Isis
452. Worship of the Goddess
453. Christian Skepticism
Encounters with Monotheism
Judaism
454. The Jewish Community in Rome and the Emperor Tiberius
455. The Jewish Community and the Emperors Augustus and Caligula
456. The Jewish Community in Alexandria and the Emperor Claudius
Christianity
457. The Promises of Christianity
458, 459. Christians in the First Century A.D.
460. Imperial Advice about Dealing with Christians
461. Christian Reaction to Trajan's Rescriptum
462. Misconceptions about Christianity
463. A Christian's Reply to the Accusations
464. Martyrs
465. Systematic Persecution
466. Toleration
467. Resistance to Intolerance
468. Christian Intolerance
Philosophy
Epicureanism
469. The Reasons for Studying Philosophy
470. The First Principal
471. The Second Principal
472. Proof of the Existence of Atoms
473. Void
474. Life and Death
Stoicism
475. The Promise of Philosophy
476. Stoic Definition of Happiness
477. Fate and Free Will
478. Emotions
479. The Invulnerability of the Wise Man
480. Death as True Freedom
481. Training and Preparation
482. Self-Discipline and Steadfastness


Genealogy Charts
Maps
Appendix I: Sources
Appendix II: Roman Money
Appendix III: Important Dates and Events
Suggestions for Further Reading
Thematic Questions
Index